Truckers: Road treatment chemicals ruining our vehciles

A state Department of Transportation truck plows snow along I-95 in Bridgeport during a storm in January. This winter is the first season the DOT has used a magnesium chloride slurry on highways in advance of storms. Truckers say the corrosive mixture is causing undercarriage and brake line corrosion .

A state Department of Transportation truck plows snow along I-95 in Bridgeport during a storm in January. This winter is the first season the DOT has used a magnesium chloride slurry on highways in advance of

HARTFORD -- The state's truckers were out in force on Friday, pressing the legislative Transportation Committee for relief from the undercarriage and brake line corrosion they believe is caused by the state's winter-storm preparations.

This winter is the first season the DOT has used a magnesium chloride slurry on highways in advance of storms. "We probably put down less than any other state in the Northeast," Redeker told lawmakers. "All of this material is corrosive."

He warned that corrosion inhibitors, including sugars, have been linked to negative impacts on water supplies and aquatic life.

"The conclusion is there is no conclusion," Redeker said, adding that his agency would encourage studies of the issue. "Our goal has always been to keep our road system open for business and the economy."

"It is clear to truckers that the damage which these substances cause is widespread and expensive," Riley said.

Rep. David A. Scribner, R-Brookfield, ranking member of the committee, said in an interview that any road treatment would potentially cause wear on trucks and cars.

"Most of the public would be much-more upset if the roads were not properly treated and safe to travel on, particularly during the rough winter that we've all faced this year," he said. "It's more about what produces the best outcome as far as clearing the roads."

He said that manufacturers should consider making the undercarriages tougher and more resistant.

"Obviously, that is leading to some level of safety concern," he said. "From the information that I have obtained on behalf of constituents that have the concern, I think the department is focusing that our roads are treated well."

He said that since towns and cities are free to use their own road treatments, there are a variety of potential culprits when it comes to vehicular corrosion.

"They may be using higher levels of salt than the state does, or higher levels of chemicals, which is their prerogative, but logically, you figure you travel more local road miles, maybe that's where the problem is coming, as opposed to highways," Scribner said.

He said that it's clear that people around the state are concerned about road treatments and their effect on cars and trucks, but the DOT is always evaluating their highway-prep program.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, during a news conference with Capitol reporters, defended the state's use of chemical treatments.

"We're always open to best practices and best ideas," Malloy said.

"I have to tell you that our purpose in treating our roads is public safety, and I hope the manufacturers of trucks could make them stronger and better and stand up to whatever is required to make people safer. So let's go back to the manufacturers and say, `What could you do to strengthen your product and to not have it have those kinds of difficulties?' " he said.

Malloy said the pretreatment makes it easier to cope with a storm's initial impact.

"If you're going to ask me whether I would side with a truck or side with making sure somebody survives, I would side with making sure somebody survives," Malloy said.